As many of you know, John informed us at Anglesey that he has entered what is probably the world’s toughest race - 6 marathons, in 6 days… in the SAHARA!!! Competitors even have to carry their own food, cooking equipment & sleeping bag - but they are provided with water & a place in a tent each evening.
John has entered this “In memory of Con”, & the monies he raises will go to Cancer Research (I’m sure that every single one of us has seen the effect of cancer in our own families).
Please support John as best as you are able… thank you in anticipation…
[color=#0000BF]I am planning to run the Marathon des Sables from 7th to the 12th April in memory of my brother-in-law Con McLaughlin who sadly died last year. All funds raised this year will go to Cancer Research and we encourage you to give generously to this very worthy cause that is close to our hearts.
Dubbed the “Toughest Foot Race on Earth” - The Marathon des Sables is basically 6 marathons in 6 days across the Sahara desert in temperatures between 45 and 50C during the day and dropping to 5C at night. It is an exercise in self-sufficiency and navigation where you carry all your food, clothing, sleeping bag, stove and possessions for the whole 6 days. It is also a race - entrants this year are from over 30 countries. Failure to get to check points in the allotted time will result in removal from the race.
If you don’t believe how tough this will be, then watch James Cracknell on the link below competing in this same event:
- YouTube
To follow my progress on a daily basis the 2 links below should give race positions at the end of each day.
http://www.marathondessables.co.uk/site/
<LINK_TEXT text=“http://runningsahara.us2.list-manage1.c … bded725c94”>http://runningsahara.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=d312612be3ac7b003e86f53f8&id=e8da59ee1a&e=bded725c94</LINK_TEXT>
Finally the link below gives access to the organisers main website for more general information.
http://www.marathondessables.co.uk/site/videos
Please give generously to Cancer Research through my Just Giving page [link immediately below]. The Just Giving page will also be updated regularly on my progress.
Beth McLaughlin is fundraising for Cancer Research UK
Very best wishes,
John.
[/color]
Done… Crazy man 
Can’t access JustGiving for some reason… My email/ passwords won’t work but will sort out as soon as poss so I can donate to John’s amazing effort as so many did on here to my more modest endeavours last year.
Done…even done a bit of advertising too (check out the Anglesey Vid)!
watched the programme about it 
donated
Job done. Good luck, John
Job Done also. Good luck indeed!!
Done
John, really admire your strength and focus, go for it.
Done,
Brilliant response folks - I’m sure that John will be chuffed (& chaffed!!!)
If possible, please edit your donations to show “exiges.com” after your names on the Just Giving webpage - cheers 
Day 3 & John’s still going strong 
Yeah but the pansy is only in 746 place! 
I have people in the office not actually believing this race even exists, let alone is actually possible.
Go John!
But he did start at 790, & the mad bugga is 50 years old! 
God watch over him, Jeez that’s an achievement!
Great news - John has completed all 4 stages up to last night
PS Stage 4 was a DOUBLE MARATHON of 75kms - frankly, beyond my comprehension!!!
Extraordinary 
PS: Following your link there’s a Gary Pearson there. Not the Jaguar racer surely?
Update from the man himself…
11/4/13- Day 3 “Yesterday was the “big day” - 2 marathons in one day. We started at 0830hrs - you have a couple of choices -do it all in one go - or sleep at one of the checkpoints during the night. I decided to go right the way through - got to the finish line at 0450hrs this morning. it is now 1335hrs and still not everyone is in. It was very tough - yesterday was the highest temp so far 54C in the shade - add on running and creating your own heat, the sun beating down on you and then the heat being reflected back up off the sand. On the night stage I was out in desert for 5 hours all by myself - I am glad I got my navigation right. Behind the last competitor is a camel - like the Top Gear Austin Allegro - have not seen it yet. I am position 763 out of the 1100 starters.”
54C IN THE SHADE!!! 
Who thought this thing up?!!
Amazing and virtually uncomprehendable feat of human endurance!!!